Piper PA32RT N3046H

Summary

On 19 January 2016 at about 20:00 local time, a Piper PA32RT registered N3046H was involved in an accident near Melfa, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 January 2016 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Melfa, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Accomack County (MFV)

Coordinates

37.6469, -75.7622

Aircraft

Piper PA32RT

Registration

N3046H

Category

Airplane

Year built

1979

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Manassas → Melfa

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA110

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for a gusting crosswind during landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, impact with a structure, and subsequent postimpact fire.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while landing in crosswind conditions, a wind gust "forced" the airplane to drift to the right of the runway. The pilot initiated a go-around, but further reported that a "sudden drop" in the wind led to an aerodynamic stall.   After the airplane stalled, it impacted a structure adjacent to the runway. A postimpact fire ensued and the airplane was destroyed. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.